Cannes Iron Mask stun La Courneuve Flash in French D1 Elite semifinal thriller

| American Football | 06/16/2025

The Cannes Iron Mask edged the La Courneuve Flash 21-20 in a pulsating French D1 Elite semifinal at Maurice Chevalier stadium in Cannes, clinching a historic first championship final berth with a last-minute touchdown and a game-sealing interception.

Early offensive fireworks set tone
The first half featured relentless scoring, with four touchdowns in the opening 17 minutes. Cannes quarterback Olivier Roy connected twice with receiver Laury Maspimby, exploiting seams in the Flash secondary. La Courneuve countered with a punishing ground game: Jason Bofunda powered in for a touchdown, followed by quarterback Paul Durand’s rushing score. A missed extra point after Durand’s touchdown left the Flash trailing 14-13 at halftime.

Critical missed opportunities before halftime
Both teams squandered chances to widen the margin before the break. Cannes failed to convert a recovered fumble into points when Roy’s end-zone throw to Timothé Labarrière fell incomplete. La Courneuve’s Thibaut Devismes then missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with two seconds remaining, preserving Cannes’ narrow lead.

Flash seize momentum in third quarter
La Courneuve’s experience surfaced early in the second half as Bofunda bulldozed for his second touchdown, capping a methodical drive to take a 20-14 lead. Cannes’ offense stalled, managing just 27 yards in the third quarter, while the Flash defense tightened. Former Flash linebacker Antony Adzie briefly reignited Cannes with an interception of Durand, but Roy immediately threw a pick to Vincent Lemoine, halting the rally.

Defensive twists fuel final-quarter drama
Turnovers dominated the fourth quarter, with Durand and Roy exchanging interceptions. Cannes’ defense forced a critical stop with seven minutes left, granting Roy one final chance. The quarterback redeemed earlier mistakes, engineering a 65-yard drive capped by Yanis Polin’s decisive 12-yard touchdown catch. La Courneuve’s last-ditch effort ended when Christian Koukoua intercepted Durand with 24 seconds remaining.

Historic final berth for Iron Mask
Cannes’ victory propels them to their first D1 Elite final, where they will face the Thonon-les-Bains Black Panthers on June 28, 2025. The Iron Mask, unbeaten at home this season, relied on Roy’s composure (3 total TDs) and a defense that forced three turnovers. La Courneuve, runners-up in 2024, fell short despite Bofunda’s two scores and 143 team rushing yards.

Key Stats:

  • Turnovers: Cannes 2, La Courneuve 3
  • Red zone efficiency: Cannes 3/4, La Courneuve 2/3
  • Maspimby: 2 TDs (4 receptions, 58 yards)
  • Bofunda: 2 TDs (18 carries, 89 yards)

Cannes’ triumph underscores their rise in French football, while La Courneuve’s late collapse leaves them seeking answers after a third semifinal exit in five years.

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